The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

“Sanjaya said, ’Having addressed Arjuna
in these words, the son of Parasara, O chief of the
Bharatas, went away to the place he had come from,
O chastiser of foes.’

SECTION CCIII

“Sanjaya said, ’Having battled fiercely
for five days, O king, the Brahmana (Drona) endued
with great strength, fell and repaired to the region
of Brahma. The fruits that arise from a study
of the Vedas arise from a study of this Parva also.
The great achievements of brave Kshatriyas have been
described here. He who readeth or listeneth to
the recitation of this Parva every day is freed from
heinous sins and the most atrocious acts of his life.
Brahmanas may always obtain herefrom the fruits of
sacrifices. From this, Kshatriyas may obtain victory
in fierce battle. The other orders (Vaisyas and
Sudras) may obtain desirable sons and grandsons and
all objects of desire!’”

The end of Drona Parva.

FOOTNOTES

1. Literally, like an oration teeming with unrefined
expressions.

2. i.e., deprived of robes and ornaments because
of her widowhood.

3. A Sarabha is a fabulous animal of eight legs
supposed to be stronger than the lion.

4. The sense seems to be, that when such an one
hath been slain, what is there on earth that is not
subject to destruction? Ye, should, therefore,
grieve for your wealth, children etc. as things
already gone.

5. There is a slight difference of reading in
this sloka as it occurs in the Bombay text. The
sense seems to be, that since everything is destined
to die, why should I fear to do my duty.

6. The last line is read incorrectly, I think,
in the Bombay text.

7. The second fine of 12 is read incorrectly
in the Bengal text. Instead of tathapi the true
reading (as in the Bombay edition) is tavapi.

8. Kula-samhanana-jnana, i.e., ’knowledge
of Kula, as also of samhanana, which latter, as Nilakantha
explains, means the body. A knowledge of the
body, of vital and other limbs, was possessed by every
accomplished warrior who wanted to smite effectually.

9. i.e., who will feel it humiliating for him
to walk behind Drona?

10. A substantial difference of reading occurs
here between the Bengal and the Bombay texts.
Both have defects of their own. It seems to me
that Drona, as leader, proceeded in the van.
Karna, when described as proceeding at the head of
all bowmen, must be taken marching at the head of
the whole rear guard. In the case, his position
would be immediately behind Drona’s.

11. Lit, “placed army to their right,”
i.e., these birds wheeled to the left of thy
host, which is an evil omen.

12. The first line of 23 is read with a slight
variation in the Bengal text. The words ‘nothing
could be seen save Drona’s arrows’ are
added here to make the sense clear.